may have

USAGE SUMMARY

"may have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possibility or uncertainty. For example: The rain may have washed away the evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may have backfired.

The Economist

Moyer may have misspoke.

The New York Times

We may have already.

The New Yorker

It already may have.

The New York Times

He may have one.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I may have authority.

The New York Times

He may have.

The New Yorker

That may have advantages.

The Economist

He may have to.

The New York Times

Luhrmann may have miscalculated.

The New Yorker

Dispersants may have worked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academically or professionally, consider whether a more precise term or phrasing would be more appropriate if the degree of uncertainty is known.

Common error

Avoid using "may have" interchangeably with "might have" or "could have" without considering the subtle differences in nuance. "Might have" often implies a slightly lower probability than "may have", while "could have" also suggests possibility but can also refer to ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have" functions as a modal verb construction used to express epistemic possibility in the past. It indicates that something is possible or likely to have occurred, but without certainty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may have" is a versatile modal construction used to express possibility or uncertainty about past events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's grammatically sound and widely accepted across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. Alternatives like "might have" or "could have" offer subtle differences in nuance. When employing "may have", ensure its usage aligns with expressing epistemic possibility rather than ability or other modal functions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have

Similar in meaning but uses "might" instead of "may", indicating a slightly weaker possibility.

could have

Indicates a possibility or potential in the past, similar to "may have".

it is possible that

Expresses possibility more explicitly, using a full clause instead of a modal verb construction.

it is not impossible that

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, suggesting something is at least potentially true.

it is likely that

Suggests a higher degree of probability compared to "may have".

there is a chance that

Highlights the existence of a possibility, without specifying how likely it is.

possibly

A single-word adverb expressing possibility.

it's conceivable that

Uses a full clause to express that something is imaginable or possible.

conceivably

Indicates something is within the realm of possibility, although perhaps not very likely.

perhaps

A simple adverb expressing uncertainty or possibility.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "may have" in a sentence?

"May have" is appropriate when you want to express a possibility or uncertainty about a past event or action. For instance, "The rain "may have washed away the evidence"."

What are some alternatives to using "may have"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "might have", "could have", or "it is possible that".

Is there a difference between "may have" and "might have"?

While both express possibility, "might have" often suggests a slightly lower probability or a more remote possibility compared to "may have".

Can "may have" also indicate ability in the past?

No, "may have" indicates a possibility regarding a past event. If you want to express ability in the past, use "could have" instead. For example, "He "could have won the race"" (ability), versus "He "may have won the race"" (possibility).